Georgia Addresses Dangers of ATV Use on Public Roads

The use of all-terrain vehicles on public roads has increased nationwide. Whether permitted over short distances or to cross roads by law or done so illegally, driving an ATV on paved roadways is risky. The vehicles are not designed for it and can easily topple over or crash into nearby cars.

While Indiana recently passed a helmet law for children under 18, many states do not have such laws or fail to enforce them properly. Equipment must meet federal safety standards, but there are no federal regulations for driving an ATV. Some localities have proposed rules to deal with these vehicles on public roads, which present the risk of accidents and not to mention dangerous fires and explosions. One such proposal was made in Atlanta, Georgia, reported in June 2017 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Atlanta City Council public safety committee approved rules previously proposed, to increase fines. A person caught riding on city roads would be fined $750 for a first-time violation, $1,000 for a second one, and, if caught a third time, could face 30 days to six months in jail. Arrests of individuals using off-road vehicles on public roads have been numerous over several years. In July, the Council approved an increase in fines.

In the city, there have been reports of ATV riders running intersections. Riders have also been seen acting recklessly in city parks and driving on lawns. Earlier in 2017, a proposed state legislation called for all riders to have a license and be registered.

In Georgia:

• Towns can adopt their own ordinances, which must be consistent with state laws/regulations. They can regulate time periods and areas where ATVs can be used.
• State government agencies can regulate times and zones of use as well where they have jurisdiction.
• Operators must have working brakes and mufflers on their vehicles.
• Private property owners must issue written permission for operators legally ride.
• All-terrain vehicles cannot be operated on beaches or sand dunes anywhere unless explicitly authorized to.

Georgia is just one example of a state dealing with the rapidly increasing use of off-road vehicles. As in many states, there has been an increase in children being hurt in accidents. In May 2017, a teenage girl from Cairo, Georgia was killed after losing control of a vehicle while riding with four other people. An 8-year-old Gordon County boy was killed in April after an all-terrain vehicle overturned and crushed him.

Riders don’t have to wait for the passage of legislation to follow safety practices, such as wearing helmets, obtaining training and experience, and learning how to operate a vehicle correctly. Driving an ATV without knowledge of how to operate it can spell disaster. Even a low-speed rollover can damage crucial components such as the engine or fuel line, which can trigger a fire or explosion. Burns represent some of the most serious injuries riders can face, and great care should be taken to recognize the signs of trouble in advance and to avoid accidents.